Review Time: The Devil You Know

The Devil You Know

“Murdered by Satan, along with his entire family, Greydon Cross strikes a bargain with God. In exchange for power that would make him The Devil’s rival, Greydon agrees to travel to Hell to assassinate Satan. There is one catch, however. Once Satan is destroyed, Greydon would have to assume the mantle.”

The Devil You Know (TDYK) is an action-packed tale of the recently deceased Greydon Cross and his travels through the realms of Hell. Gifted with the divine power to go toe-to-toe with any demon who crosses his path, Greydon is on a mission to avenge his family’s (including his own) death at the hands of Satan himself. This series is just as fun as it is bloody, and the action is non-stop! Taking a whole new approach to the struggle of good versus evil, The Devil You Know is perfect for fans of monster slaying and anyone looking for a good, old-fashioned demon brawl!

Story:

TDYK maintains a blistering pace throughout the story thus far, but it never becomes overwhelming or confusing for the reader. In perfect fashion, you’re thrown right into the action from the start, and learn about Greydon and his mission through the use of flashbacks. This allows the story to take off right away, and skips the introductory lull that might deter some readers. And while we are afforded some insight into Greydon’s life before death, we remain fairly undecided on his character as a whole. This fits nicely with the theme of light battling dark, as we can’t be sure he will inevitably be the right man to take over ruling Hell, and helping God maintain balance in all worlds. As such, we’re forced to hold on for the ride and see how it all plays out in the end.

Not too far into the story, it’s made clear that this is not the first time God has sent a “Destroyer” to Hell to overthrow Satan. In fact, this plan has failed God for over two thousand years. But Greydon is different, and all of the demons he encounters seem to realize this. Whether it’s his taming of a dragon, or the numerous allies he makes along his journey, somehow it’s apparent to his enemies that he is superior to his predecessors. This gets the attention of the demonic ruler of Tutis (one of the realms of Hell), forcing her to send her best warriors to kill him.

Art:

Frank Mula has written an excellent story for lovers of fast-paced action and violence. The religious backing provides a nice framework for his tale, and gives certain characters a feeling of familiarity in an otherwise foreign setting. What’s more is the artwork lends itself perfectly to the world he’s created. It perfectly captures the mayhem and darkness befitting of a journey through the entirety of Hell. Despite the idea that Tutis is not the “fire and brimstone” we’ve come to expect from a depiction of Hell (which is actually addressed in the comic), artists Kellik (pencils) and Nujannah (inks) have done amazing work to instill the feeling that this world is not the one to which we’re accustomed.

Thoughts:

Thus far, The Devil You Know is a fun-filled bloodbath with enough depth to keep you interested throughout. The pace drives home the sense of chaos and uncertainty as Greydon adapts to a brand new world to him and the perils he faces. Packed to the gills with demons and violence, this series is perfect for anyone looking to break away from the usual superhero story, while still having a hero to stand behind. If you’re a fan of action and the underworld, don’t miss out on this new rendition of the classic struggle of good versus evil!

The Devil You Know "Murdered by Satan, along with his entire family, Greydon Cross strikes a bargain with God. In exchange for power that would make him The Devil's rival, Greydon agrees to travel to Hell to assassinate Satan. There is one catch, however. Once Satan is destroyed, Greydon would have to assume the mantle." The Devil You Know (TDYK) is an action-packed tale of the recently deceased Greydon Cross and his travels through the realms of Hell. Gifted with the divine power to go toe-to-toe with any demon who crosses his path, Greydon is on a mission…